Jeff Bryant has been the Executive Director since January 2017. Jeff’s upbringing in Hawthorne, Nev. fostered a deep-rooted passion for the Walker Basin. Prior to his role at WBC, Jeff worked with the Great Basin Institute and lead conservation crews throughout the Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and the central Pacific coast of Mexico. After his time with the Great Basin Institute, Jeff worked to develop several nonprofits including Urban Roots, the Polygrarian Institute, and Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. Jeff brings with him nonprofit experience, knowledge of conservation and sustainable agriculture, and passion for the Walker Basin.

Director of Finance and Operations

Mike O’Carroll joined Walker Basin Conservancy in 2018 as the Director of Finance and Operations. Mike has 13 years of experience in non-profit financial management at the highest level, and over 25 years of financial management experience in the for-profit sector. Mike is a certified public accountant and received a B.S. in accounting from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Land Conservation Director

Laura has a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy and has been working as a Senior Environmental Planner and Water Resources Specialist at Environmental Management and Planning Solutions, Inc. since 2015. Laura has many years of experience with environmental planning and management and has also worked with water law and policies.

Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Caroline Ackerman started her position in Communications and Outreach in May 2017. Caroline graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. Caroline’s interest in non-profit communications and lifelong admiration for the Nevadan desert drew her to WBC’s work.

Water Manager

Silas has been the Water Manager for WBC since July 2017. Silas received a B.S. in bioenvironmental sciences, a second B.S. in environmental studies, and an M.S. in water management and hydrological studies from Texas A&M University. Silas joined WBC because of the unique opportunity to work in the water conservation field to protect natural resources.

Conservation Crew Leader

Robert Biggs has been a part of the WBC team since May 2017. Robert has an A.A. in criminal justice and plans to pursue a B.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation. Robert joined WBC to gain field experience and acquire practical knowledge in land management.

Water Management Intern

Carissa is going into her senior year at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she is pursuing a B.S. in environmental science with a minor in public administration. Carissa is the student body vice president at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Conservation Technician

Brandon Consulo began working with the Walker Basin Conservancy in July, 2018. Brandon is from Roseville, Calif. and has previous training as an electrician.

Conservation Maintenance Specialist

Logan Cormany graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences. Growing up on a ranch in Portola, California gave Logan a passion for maintaining agriculture to benefit the environment.

Operations and Human Resources Manager

Amy Gladding has been with WBC since March 2017. After spending over 20 years in the Denver area, Amy returned to her Reno roots a few years ago. In 2005, Amy earned a Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Since then, she has been working for various non-profits focused on health care and environmental conservation. Amy came to WBC because she felt close to the mission of conserving and restoring the native Nevada environment and the historic Walker Lake.

AmeriCorps Program Manager

Miguel Gonzales has worked with the Walker Basin Conservancy since May 2018. Miguel received a B.S. from NC State University in 2009. Since then, he has worked in conservation across the U.S.—from Vermont to New Mexico. Prior experience with AmeriCorps programs and a dedication to working with like-minded individuals on meaningful conservation projects attracted Miguel to the Conservancy’s work.

Staff Accountant

Carlie Henneman has been the Staff Accountant with WBC since February 2017. Carlie has worked in conservation for years as an ecologist and conservation scientist. She obtained an undergraduate degree in Biology from Whitman College in Washington State, and an M.S. in Wildlife Conservation from University of Minnesota. Carlie has had numerous positions throughout the country related to wildlife, conservation and the outdoors, including studying forest birds in Hawaii, an AmeriCorps position in Portland, Oregon and environmental education in Alaska. She is now enjoying a new role in the area of finance while maintaining her commitment to conservation.

Land Manager

Dash Hibbard has been the East Walker Stewardship Coordinator since October 2016. Dash has a B.S. in Biology from Bates College, and an M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. Dash has been in the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin for the better part of the last ten years, doing plant ecology research and restoration projects. He loves the opportunity to collaborate on restoring native plant communities to a river system that is both beautiful and uniquely challenging. Dash looks forward to seeing what the watershed looks like over the next decade or two.

Conservation Technician

David Lacey joined Walker Basin Conservancy in May 2018. David earned a Bachelor’s of Science in agriculture systems management from Texas A&M University. His passion for the natural world and experience in ecological restoration drew him to WBC.

Field Manager

Terence Ruane has been WBC's field manager since November of 2017. Terence studied outdoor education at Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, Vermont. He has been working in conservation since 2003. Terence has worked on and managed projects all over North America, from Alaska to Florida and New Mexico to New Jersey. At WBC, Terence enjoys creating tangible projects and causing lasting changes on the unique and critical Nevadan habitat.

Special Projects Manager

Steve Tomac has been with Walker Basin Conservancy since 2014. Steve grew up on his family’s ranch in Fallon, Nev. After high school, he attended UNR where he received a B.S. in Agriculture with major emphasis in Wildlife and Range Management. Steve spent 28 years working for the Nevada Department of Wildlife primarily as a game warden in Lyon and Mineral counties. In 2011, he began working in the Walker Basin Restoration Program on stewardship activities and helping to establish the Walker Basin Conservancy.

Conservation Technician

Coralee Wassmund received her bachelor’s degree in Forestry Management in Ecology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017. Coralee has been a Conservation Technician at the Conservancy since summer of 2018, and she interned at the Conservancy in summer 2017. Coralee is passionate about range restoration.

Conservation Technician

Hannah Weber is a graduate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before joining WBC in February 2018, she worked as an Americorps member and as a research technician for a graduate student converting old agricultural fields to native vegetation. She is interested in restoring native plant communities as well as water conservation. She wanted to join the WBC crew because she believes in the mission and wants to develop skills to manage land in the future.